cloak-and-dag·ger

(klōk′ən-dăg′ər)

adj.

Marked by melodramatic intrigue and often by espionage.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

cloak-and-dagger

(modifier) characteristic of or concerned with intrigue and espionage

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

cloak′-and-dag′ger

adj.

pertaining to, characteristic of, or dealing in espionage or intrigue, esp. of a romantic or dramatic kind.

[1835]

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Adj.

cloak-and-dagger - conducted with or marked by hidden aims or methods; "clandestine intelligence operations"; "cloak-and-dagger activities behind enemy lines"; "hole-and-corner intrigue"; "secret missions"; "a secret agent"; "secret sales of arms"; "surreptitious mobilization of troops"; "an undercover investigation"; "underground resistance"

clandestine, hush-hush, undercover, underground, secret, surreptitious, hole-and-corner, hugger-mugger

covert - secret or hidden; not openly practiced or engaged in or shown or avowed; "covert actions by the CIA"; "covert funding for the rebels"

cloak-and-dagger

adjective

Existing or operating in a way so as to ensure complete concealment and confidentiality:

clandestine, covert, huggermugger, secret, sub rosa, undercover.

Informal: hush-hush.

Idiom: under wraps.

Translations

cloak-and-dagger

[ˈkləʊkənˈdægəʳ] ADJ [activity] → clandestino; [play] → de capa y espada; [story] → de agentes secretos

Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

cloak-and-dagger

[ˌkləʊkənˈdægəʳ] adj (film) → del mistero; (activities) → misterioso/a

Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995

References in periodicals archive

The news that Karl Robinson's League One side were signing the Scotland cap on a season-long loan had the look of cloak and dagger about it.

Transfer stitch-up is just taking the Chris out of FIFA cash rule

She said: "This cloak and dagger approach leaves us with far more questions than answers and fuels more suspicion."

MoD accused of Vulcan site plan secrecy; NUCLEAR

But, in reality these cloak and dagger dreams would be shattered in the near future, as Pak-Afghan relations are on the mending.

Pak-Afghan ties

With plenty of cloak and dagger escapades, this superbly readable story boasts an intricate, suspenseful plot in two time lines and an eminently readable tone.

Books; SMUULS Staying in Your home 34

Adding to that already-impressive roster are the titular super-beings of 'Cloak and Dagger,' a 'damaged' teen duo seeking justice for those they lost during separate childhood tragedies.

Complex, damaged heroes in Marvel's 'Cloak and Dagger'

But it's all cloak and dagger as they are completely oblivious that they are being secretly assessed by hundreds of employees.

WE LOVE DOCUMENTARY

"Although I refute all "cloak and dagger" allegations, I'll freely admit that I haven't been able to brief members and consult the people that will be affected."

View in context

And Cummins said that there can be a "cloak and dagger" element to the choices the players are faced with.

BEWARE A DUAL THEFT; GAA TIPP SELECTION DILEMMA; Cummins warns Premier hurling set-up is about to be raided by county football

The "cloak and dagger musical adventure" will also include six more gigs at unusual locations in the city by other performers.

Folkie King takes show to rooftops

THE Government has been accused of "cloak and dagger" tactics over plans for a private school to merge with a state-funded primary.

Anger grows over merger of schools; Accusations of 'cloak and dagger' tactics on plans